剥き出す

• Reading: むきだす
• Romaji: mukidasu
• Kanji breakdown: 剥 (haku/mu) — peel, strip; 出 (shutsu/da) — come out, put forth
• Pronunciation: /mɯ.ki.da.sɯ/

Meaning

To bare; to expose; to lay bare; to reveal something that was covered or concealed.

A Group 1 (godan) verb combining 剥き (from 剥く, to peel or strip away a covering) and 出す (to bring out, to put forth). The compound vividly evokes the act of stripping away a surface to expose what lies beneath — whether physically (baring teeth, exposing rock strata) or figuratively (revealing raw emotion, laying bare intent). The nuance is often of something forceful or unguarded being exposed, carrying connotations of rawness and directness.

Examples

1. 怒りで牙を剥き出した犬が、近づく者全員を威嚇した。 The dog bared its fangs in anger, threatening everyone who came near.
2. 崖が崩れ、地層が剥き出されたままの状態で放置されていた。 The cliff collapsed, leaving the geological strata exposed and left as they were.
3. 長年の不満を剥き出すように、彼は一気に全てを語り始めた。 As if laying bare years of pent-up frustration, he began pouring out everything all at once.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, animals, emotions, geology, confrontation

Tone: raw

Origin & History

Compound of 剥き (from 剥く — to peel, to strip a covering) and 出す (to bring out, to produce). The image is of stripping away a surface layer to expose what was underneath, suggesting an unvarnished and often forceful revelation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes